Loose-leaf binder



Dec. l, 1953 VG. H YEHLKE 2,661,004

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed Jan. 17, 1952v GIenn H. Ehlke Patented Dec. 1, 1953 UN I TED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

` Glenn H.. Ehlke, Chicago, Ill.

Application' January' 17, 1952', Serial No. 266,976.

1 Claim. l

My invention relates to loose-leaf binders.

An important object of my invention is to provide a loose-leaf binder, which is adapted to hold a number of sheets removably assembled therein.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the aforementioned character, in which the loops on which the leaves, or loose pages are mounted, are unbroken.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a binder structure, which can be readily opened for insertion thereinto, or removal therefrom, pages having perforations to t the binder loop structure.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a loose-leaf binder mechanism, which is equipped with loops of, substantially, semicircular formation, and which are provided with retaining notch means, so that the said loops may be opened on right or left-hand sides of the loose-leaf mechanism, or to permit the loops to be entirely removed therefrom.

A still further object. of my invention is to provide a mechanism. of the aforementioned character, in Which more or less loops may be utilized depending on the binding requirements.

A still further object of myA invention is to provide in a device or mechanism of the afo-rementioned character, swinging ledges which are articulately mounted so that either ofl the said ledges may be rotated, substantially, within an arc of 180 degrees, within an angle of 90 degrees, for the removal or insertion of loose-leaf pages.

A still further object of my invention is to provide toothed locking latch means, which in concert with the notched means provided onthe loop elements, may be slidably positioned to secure in assembly the notched ends of the loop elements, or may be motivated to release the said loop elements.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a loose-leaf structure, which is simple, and practical in its use, and one which can be manufactured economically in quantities.

Other objects and advantages inherent in my invention will become apparent from an examination of the accompanying drawings, having further reference to the ensuing description for explanation of the construction and operation of the invention, in which like symbols are used to designate. like parts, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View taken, substantially, on the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the interrelated (Cl. 12S-24.)

2 hinge elements, comprising the articulately secured loose-leaf covers, and the. ledge elements attached to the spinal element,l or the back bone, of the cover.

Fig.. et is an enlarged fragmentary illustration, showing the action of the latching means in releasing the loop elements from locking engagementv therewith.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary and enlarged. perspective View showing the toothed structure and the articulate arrangement of the ledges and their hinge connection to the remaining structure; a portion being broken away to clearly depict the locking latches.

IReferring to the variousI views, my invention is generally designated E, and com-prises a right cover element 'l' and left cover element 8, con,- nected to a central spinal element, or back bone element 9. The cover element l' as seen in Fig. 3 is provided with a. number of hinge sections |70, and H, arranged in staggered relationship to accommodate the hinge elements lf2, i3, and t4, of. the spinal element, or bac-k bone element 9.. also accommodating the hinge. elements l5 and t6, which support the ledge holding means, which retains the loop elements 3l, firmlyl and releasab'ly in place. All hinge elements4 are assembled on hinge rod 2l.. The left hand ledge t8 and the right hand ledge Il are both. provided with longitudinal slots 20v, which act as guide-Ways for the locking latch. elements 22 and 23, each being equipped with manipulating handle portions 24y and 25. The locking latch elements 22 and 23 are provided with alignment slots 2%,

which bear on the pins 29, limiting the movement of thev latches 2.2 and 23,. and maintaining them in assembled relationship with the ledges IT and I 8.

The locking latches 22 are provided with a series of toothed portions 26, separated by the root portions 21, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5. The ledges I1 and I8 are also provided with beveled portions 30, having a multiplicity of bores or holes I9, distributed throughout their length to accommodate the loose-leaf binder loops 3l The binder rings 3l are, substantially, semicircular in shape and are bent to the configuration indicated, and are provided at their extremities with the cut-out or notched portions 32 and 33 in each end of the loop.

The locking latches 22 and 23, when in the position shown in Figs. land 5, will indicate the latches in operative position holding in assembly the loops 3|, Whereas, when the manipulating portions, 24 or 25, or both, are moved to the dotted position indicated in Fig. 4, the slotted portions 32 or 33, will be brought into alignment with the root portion 21 of the latch elements 22, thus permitting the loops to be released from assembly or engagement, and permitting the locking ledges I1 or I8, to be motivated to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, where it can be seen that by motivating the ledge i8 until the loops rest on the surface of the cover element 8, sheets may be inserted or removed.

Likewise, the locking ledge l1 may be motivated through an arcuate path or orbit for removal of sheets through the free end which will be released at the notched portions 33. Thus in order to motivate the ledge I8 to the dotted positions shown, it rst becomes mandatory to move the locking latch 23, by grasping the manipulating portion 24, thereof, and moving it forward, or towards the observer, in order to cause the notches 32 to become disengaged from the toothed portions 26, and aligning the loops @i with the root portions 21 of the latch element 22. Thus the loops 3| all are free simultaneously in the bores I3 to which no loops are shown attached. Additional loops may be attached, or it may be found advisable to use only the two loops 3l in the extreme or end positions, depending on the material that is bound in the loose-leaf covers.

It will also be noted that the loops are continuous and unbroken, insofar as their exposed portions are concerned so as not to militate` against the smooth operation of loose-leaf pages being turned thereon and also to prevent excessive wear of the perforations in the loose-leaf pages that are utilized customarily in connection with loose-leaf books.

It will be noted that this particular construction illustrated lends itself readily to manufacture in plastic materials that can readily be molded. Loops can be opened at the front of the book or at the back of the book, instead of at the center, for reasons which have hereinbefore been given. Thus there is no break at the center of the loops to damage and retard the loose pages in their movement on the loops.

To remove any or all the loops, or to insert additional loops 3l all that is to be done is to move the locking latches 22 and 23 to inoperative or loop releasing position, which frees the notched portions of the loops to be removed, or permits the ends of the loops to be inserted in the ledges i to be subsequently locked by placing the latches in operative position.

I believe I have herein illustrated and described the nature of my invention, and expounded, in .i expositor-y form, the teachings so that those familiar with the art will be able to practice my invention. Inasmuch as the same is susceptible of many modifications, alterations, and improvements, I hereby reserve the right to any improvements, alterations and modifications coming within the scope and spirit of my invention and disclosure, also the right to any improvements impliably embraced in the accompanying illustrations depicting the generally suggested elemental structure of my invention, and also any modifications, improvements, or alterations, falling within the purview of the foregoing description; my invention to be limited only by the subjoined claim.

Having thus disclosed and revealed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

Loose-leaf binder mechanism, comprising cover means including right .hand and left hand cover elements, flat back bone means, right hand and left hand ledge elements mounted parallelly and having inner edges facing one another, a hinge element securing articulately the outer edges of the said ledge elements to the said cover means simultaneously securing the said cover means to the said back bone means, the said ledge elements being provided with slots along the said inner edges, a multiplicity of holes in transverse relationship to the said slots so that an imaginary geometric plane passing through the axis thereof will be in coplanar relationship with the bottom portions of the said slots, locking latch means slidably positioned in the said slots, loop means removably secured through the said holes and provided with notches adjacent their termini engageable releasably by the said locking latch means, guide pin means secured to the said ledge elements, and alignment slotted portions on the said locking latch means slidably operative on the said guide pin means to limit the movement of the said locking latch means to operative and inoperative positions.

GLENN H. EHLKE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 561,928 Vail June 9, 1896 1,648,105 Bell Nov. 8, 1927 2,096,701 Thompson Oct. 19, 1937 2,104,568 McClure Jan. 4, 1938 2,159,009 Cooper et al May 23, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 98,571 Switzerland 1923 755,172 France Sept. 4, 1933 

